Bringing GiGi U to Hillsborough

“When is GiGi U starting? Our daughter needs it.”

“There isn’t anything challenging him anymore, GiGi U will be so great for my son!”

“What exactly is GiGi U?”

These are the three most common responses that I get about GiGi U when talking about it around the Playhouse. The Board of Managers and I are working hard to raise the funds needed in order to start this great career development program. 

GiGi U is designed to motivate adults with Down syndrome to achieve their highest potential in the world through innovative, educational, goal-development and small group skills instruction. Along with health and wellness, career skills, empowerment, community engagement and exceptional work opportunities. 

The program has four overall goals that it seeks to achieve during the 15-week program: 

1. Increase self-confidence 
2. Increase career skill knowledge 
3. Increase personal wellness 
4. Increase quality of life 

Program graduates will then go on to work 18-week internships in our community; GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough has been blessed to have not one but THREE businesses in our community have step forward to be an internship site for our GiGi U graduates. Our graduates will work at the counters- learning how to interact with customers, offer great customer service and even run a register! 

The costs of running GiGi U include hiring an instructor to run the program and oversee our interns in the field, as well as instructional materials. Help us reach our startup goal of $50,000 by joining us at the inaugural Rock ‘N Brews BBQ on Sunday, September 30 from 2:00- 7:00PM at Stage House Tavern. Every cent raised will go towards starting GiGi U in Hillsborough!